Niagara Extends Win Streak to Five With 93-70 Win In Scarborough

The Niagara River Lions defeated the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-70 to extend their win streak to five games.  The River Lions are now 12-4 with the Shooting Stars 8-7.

Niagara started the game with pace and intensity.  They put the pressure on the Shooting Stars full court and forced six Scarborough turnovers in the first quarter.  After a Jaylen Babb-Harrison three, Khalil Ahmad and Tidjan Keita found their way to the rim to give Niagara a 9-3 lead.  Isiaha Mike sparked the Shooting Stars offence but constant lanes to the rim gave the River Lions efficient opportunities and the River Lions jumped out to a 24-18 at the end of the first quarter.

Niagara attacking the rim opened up passing lanes to the perimeter, where Babb-Harrison, Munis Tutu and Antonio Davis Jr hit their shots.  Niagara pushed their lead to 21, 42-21 and Rashad James tried to climb the Shooting Stars back in.  Scarborough lowering the deficit to 15, 45-30, Niagara constantly responded and kept the advantage with their defence and efficient offence.  At halftime, the River Lions led 50-37.

James’ second quarter got him to 12 points at halftime with Mike leading the Shooting Stars in rebounds with six.  The River Lions were led by Ahmad who scored 10 points early, and Daniel Waldin-Mullings who grabbed eight rebounds.  Niagara shot 41 per cent in the first half with Scarborough shooting 46 per cent.  Niagara created 13 points off 12 Scarborough turnovers in the first half. 

Just as Scarborough got a rhythm on offence with Mike and James and got consecutive stops, the River Lions answered.  Niagara maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter with the lead getting down to 10, 63-53.  Once the differential got to 10, Ahmad hit two free throws, Elijah Mitrou-Long and Alonzo Walker got a layup and Shawn Occeus finished the quarter with a layup of his own.  Going into the fourth quarter, the River Lions led 71-53. 

Niagara kept up their defensive intensity throughout the fourth quarter, hounding the defensive glass and creating turnovers wherever possible.  Niagara didn't allow Scarborough to establish consistent offence in the fourth and they kept their lead close to 20 points.  Going into Elam time, the River Lions led 84-62, target score set at 93. 

Chatman started Elam time with a turnaround jumper to give the Shooting Stars two points and make the deficit 20.  After a defensive stop, Mike hit a floater inside the paint to give Scarborough another answer and start to put together a Shooting Stars offensive run.  Mitrou-Long scored his sixth basket of the game to give him 18 points, this one from three, giving Niagara an 87-66 lead with the target score 93.  Mitrou-Long gave the River Lions 91 points and Ahmad at the free throw line for two sealed the River Lions victory.  Niagara defeated the Scarborough Shooting Stars 93-70.

Ahmad’s game winning free throws gave him 20 points on the night to go with five rebounds, two assists and a steal.  Mitrou-Long matched Ahmad with 20 points while he added four rebounds and three steals.  Davis scored 14 points and assisted on four baskets while Waldin-Mullings finished with 11 rebounds and nine points.

James led the Shooting Stars scoring with 18 points on 58 per cent shooting to go with his four rebounds and an assist.  Mike scored 17 and grabbed 13 rebounds along with his two assists and a block.  Chatman was the third Shooting Stars player in double-digits finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, an assist and a pair of steals.



Mitrou-Long talked about his 20-point performance and the impact his teammates had, “I got to give it to my teammates, they believed in me.  Everyone has ups and downs and they stayed with me so it’s easy when you’re playing with teammates like ours.”